Bothal is a village in the civil parish of Ashington, in Northumberland, England. It is situated between Morpeth and Ashington. There is a castle, a church, a vicarage opposite the church gates, some stepping stones over the River Wansbeck, and a few houses.

Bothal
Bothal village
Bothal is located in Northumberland
Bothal
Bothal
Location within Northumberland
OS grid referenceNZ240866
Civil parish
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townMORPETH
Postcode districtNE61
Dialling code01670
PoliceNorthumbria
FireNorthumberland
AmbulanceNorth East
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Northumberland
55°10′23″N 1°37′30″W / 55.173°N 1.625°W / 55.173; -1.625

Bothal was the headquarters of the extensive Welbeck Estates in Northumberland. Half a mile upstream of the castle are the remains of a watermill that still had a working waterwheel up to about the First World War. It had a turbine for electricity production for the mill house from 1947 to 1980. Until 1866 Bothal was a civil parish,[1] In 1831 the parish had a population of 1319.[2]

Bothal was also a drift mine ('Bothal Barns Drift') though this is something of a misnomer. Bothal Drift was merely another entrance to the Ashington colliery. Now, Bothal Barns Drift is the site of a private house with the old entrance to the drift mine being long disused. The Bothal Drift is situated on the top of the bank on the Ashington side.

Further west ( a few hundred yards) from the church and castle, it is possible to walk along the river Wansbeck for some 30–45 minutes west towards Morpeth. The name Morpeth apparently means 'murder path' and was once the main thoroughfare along the river. Further along the footpath is the remains of an old chapel.

The footpath starts near the site of the old mill. You can park your car near the gate (at the bridge) and then walk westwards past the weir.


References

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  1. ^ "Relationships and changes Bothal CP/AP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Population statistics Bothal CP/AP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
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  • GENUKI (Accessed: 15 November 2008)